Delphinus, the Dolphin . 181
Coffin" was applied long after the constellation was known as "the Dolphin/'
Allen says that he has been unable to learn the date and name of the inventor of the title "Job's Coffin." The stars in the constellation form a rectangular figure not unlike the shape of a coffin, which possibly accounts for the title.
We find the dolphin acting as a life-saver again in the rescue of Taras, the founder of Tarentum, in Italy, from a watery grave. The inhabitants of that city struck a coin in memory of this event.
Delphinus marked the 24th Hindu lunar station, known as "Most famous." In Greece Delphinus was the Sacred Fish, the creature being of as much religious significance there as the fish afterwards became among the early Christians. The Dolphin was also regarded as the messenger and favourite of Poseidon, and the sky emblem of philanthropy.
The Arabs called this constellation "the Riding Camel," and the early Christians are said to have believed that this star group represented the Cross of Jesus, transferred to the sky.
The dolphin has also been regarded as the fish which swallowed Jonah, although this title, properly speaking, should apply to Cetus the Whale. Schiller knew some of the stars in Delphinus as "the water pots of Cana." The Chinese called the four principal stars in that constellation, which form a diamond-shaped figure, "a gourd."
Delphinus in astrology was believed to have a special influence over the births and character of human beings.
It has been thought that this constellation was invented by a seafaring people, and this, with the neighbouring star groups, is evidence that the constellations were in all probability designed by dwellers on the coast.
Some regard the dolphin as one of the many animals worshipped in connection with Apollo. Again it is said to be the symbol of spring, and the opening of the season of navigation, and others claim that the title is derived from the name Delphi, as the festival known as "the Delphinia"stars, that Herschel counted 331,000 in a width of only five degrees.> Supposing the sun's distance from the earth